Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The doctrine of Separation of Powers entails the division of the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government among different organs. This demarcation prevents the concentration of excessive power by any branch of the Government. It thus helps to safeguard the liberty and rights of the people in a democracy. Article 50 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mentions separation of judiciary from the executive.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Chausath Yogini temple is in Morena district in Madhya Pradesh. According to an inscription dated 1323 AD, this temple was built by Kachachapaghata king Devapala (1055-1075).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The temple with a circular design pattern is situated on top of a small hill. It is not the only circular temple in India. Other examples are Kameshwar Temple, Kashmir and Vishnu Temple at Topra (Haryana) etc.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Originally 64 yoginis were placed in 64 subsidiary shrines around the central shrine of Maha Shakti. Today Shiva linga have taken their place in shrines. The central shrine also holds a Shivalinga.

Statement 4 is correct: This temple’s circular design has given rise to the popular idea that our old Indian parliament’s design designed by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker was taken from here. Fig.: Chausath Yogini Temple

Explanation

Originally, the Indian Constitution recognized the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31. Later, the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 abolished the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right. It was then made a legal right under Article 300-A of the Constitution. Article 300-A states: "No person shall be deprived of his property save by Authority of Law." Thus, the Right to Property in India is now a legal right available to any person, not a Fundamental Right.

Explanation

Indus Valley Civilization featured advanced town planning with well-laid-out streets, drainage systems, and standardized brick construction. Notable examples include the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, with its grid-like streets and Great Bath, and Harappa, known for its drainage systems and carefully planned residential areas.

Option (a) is correct: Discovered in 1968 by Jagat Pati Joshi, Dholavira is one of the best-preserved Indus Valley sites, with a unique water management system using reservoirs and dams. Located between the Manhar and Mandsar streams, it was likely accessible by boat when the Rann’s water levels were higher.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: According to K.K. Aziz "Indian federalism reflects a blend of centralization and decentralization, where the Union Government retains significant authority over the states while respecting the federal structure in principle. The essential features of a federation are - Two Government, division of powers, Written Constitution, Supremacy of Constitution, Rigidity of Constitution, Independent Judiciary and

Option (b) is incorrect: The Union Legislature does have representatives from different states and union territories but it is not a defining feature of federalism. In a federal system, legislative powers are typically divided between different levels of government, with both the centre and states having their own legislative bodies. In India, the Union Legislature and State Legislatures are separate and each has specific powers.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Union Cabinet can indeed have representatives from regional parties, but this does not establish India’s federal nature.

Option (d) is incorrect: Fundamental Rights being enforceable by the courts is a crucial feature of India’s democracy but it is not specifically related to federalism. The enforceability of Fundamental Rights is more about protecting individual liberties rather than directly indicating the federal character of the polity.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the tropical zone, trade winds blow from the east towards the west. These winds push warm surface water towards the western parts of the oceans (e.g., the western Pacific Ocean and the western Atlantic Ocean). As a result, the water in the western parts of tropical oceans is warmer than in the eastern parts. The eastern sections of the oceans tend to have upwelling, where colder, nutrient-rich waters from deeper layers rise to the surface.

Statement 2 is correct: In the temperate zone, the westerlies (winds blowing from the west towards the east) push the surface water eastward, causing the western parts of oceans (like the western coast of continents) to be colder. The water in the eastern sections of oceans tends to be warmer due to the Ekman transport, which moves warm water towards the eastern coasts. For example, in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics to the eastern coasts of North America and Europe, keeping the eastern sections warmer than the western parts.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: The description refers to the Tropical Rainforest or Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate. In this biome, leaf litter decomposes rapidly due to high humidity and temperatures, quickly returning nutrients to the soil. As a result, the soil surface often appears bare with minimal leaf litter. They are home to climbing plants (lianas) and epiphytes (plants that grow on trees), which reach the canopy to access sunlight. These unique plant forms and rapid decomposition are characteristic features of tropical rainforests, making it a highly dynamic and nutrient-efficient ecosystem. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Coniferous forests (or taiga) are characterized by cold climates and slow decomposition rates. The leaf litter in coniferous forests decomposes more slowly than in tropical rainforests due to the lower temperatures and acidic nature of the soil. The description of rapid decomposition and bare soil does not match the characteristics of coniferous forests. Dry deciduous forests experience dry seasons where many trees shed their leaves. While leaf litter does decompose, the process is slower due to the dry conditions. These forests do not have the constant, year-round decomposition found in tropical rainforests. Additionally, the mention of epiphytes and climbing plants is less common in dry deciduous forests. Mangrove forests are coastal ecosystems, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are characterized by salt-tolerant plants and the intertidal zone, not by the rapid de-composition of leaf litter. The soil in mangrove forests is often muddy, and the vegetation is adapted to waterlogged conditions rather than the "bare" soil and climbing plants described in the given statement.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Nizamat of Arcot was a Muslim princely state in South India during the 18th century. It was founded by the Nawabs of Arcot, who initially served as vassals under the Nizam, the ruler of the Hyderabad State. After the weakening of the Nizam’s power, they gained greater control over the region. The Nizamat of Arcot included areas such as Arcot, Carnatic, and parts of modern-day Tamil Nadu.

Statement 2 is correct: Under the Vijayanagar Empire, there was a small feudal kingdom called Mysore. The Kingdom of Mysore was founded by the Wodeyar dynasty in 1399. The Wodeyar dynasty declared their independence following the fall of Vijayanagar in 1565, and Raja Wodeyar ascended the throne in 1578. The capital moved from Mysore to Srirangapatna in 1610.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Afghan Chiefs under the leadership of Daud Khan established Rohilakhand, from erstwhile Mughal territory in Awadh region, by taking advantage of the breakdown of authority in North India following Nadir Shah’s invasion.

Explanation

The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is a brief introductory statement that reflects the hopes and aspirations of the people. The ideals behind the Preamble to Indian Constitution is based on ‘Objective Resolution’ which were drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947. The original Preamble, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, declared India a "Sovereign Democratic Republic". Later, it was amended by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976), and added three new words-"Socialist, Secular and Integrity".

The words “Socialist” and “Secular” were not in the Preamble on 26 January 1950; they were added in 1976. Options C and D therefore describe the Preamble as it reads today, not the constitutional status on the day the Constitution came into force.

Explanation

Lemongrass is a tall herb that is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia. Lemongrass is most frequently produced in China and India. The lemongrass herb is well known for its effectiveness at warding off mosquitoes and works as a mosquito repellent. It contains the chemical citronella, which aids in disguising the smells that mosquitoes use to target victims. A 2011 study found that the strong odour of lemongrass oil effectively killed or fully repelled more than 90% of the mosquitoes from a particular range of species.